description Mars 2 Overview
Mars 2 was a Soviet space mission consisting of an orbiter and a lander launched toward Mars in 1971. The lander reached the Martian surface on 27 November 1971, but it did not complete a controlled landing and was destroyed on impact after an onboard guidance failure. It is nevertheless recorded as the first human-made object to reach the surface of Mars. The orbiter continued the mission's scientific and imaging work around the planet.
help Mars 2 FAQ
Did the Mars 2 lander survive its landing?
No. The lander reached the Martian surface on 27 November 1971 but was destroyed on impact after an onboard guidance failure. It is nevertheless remembered as the first human-made object to reach the surface of Mars.
What was the difference between Mars 2 and Mars 3?
They were twin Soviet missions launched in May 1971, each with an orbiter and a lander. Mars 2 crash-landed, while Mars 3 achieved the first soft landing on Mars on 2 December 1971, though its transmissions lasted only about 20 seconds.
Did Mars 2 carry a rover?
Yes, the lander carried a tiny Prop-M roving vehicle, weighing about 4.5 kilograms. It was destroyed along with the lander in the 1971 crash and never operated on Mars.
When was Mars 2 launched and on what rocket?
Mars 2 was launched in May 1971 on a Proton-K rocket as part of the Soviet Mars programme. Its orbiter section reached Mars in November 1971 and returned observations of the planet and its atmosphere.
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